Mechanism to sever tape between adjacent ends of cartons



O. A. BADENHAUSEN EI'AL MECHAN Feb. 26, 1952 ISM TO SEVER TAPE BETWEEN ADJACENT ENDS OF CARTONS Filed June 15, 1949 v 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS MLI/EL/Y 505/11,

Feb. 26, 1952 o. A. BADENHAUSEN ETAL 6, 03

MECHANISM TO SEVER TAPE BETWEEN ADJACENT ENDS OF CARTONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15, 1949 INVENTORS fill/ 7 BY xL/{ELA/ 5o Feb. 26, 1952 o. A. BADENHAUSEN ETAL 86, 03

MECHANISM TO SEVER TAPE BETWEEN ADJACENT ENDS OF CARTONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 15, 1949 I INVENTORS (hm/454054404 Feb. 26, 1952 o .A. BADENHAUSEN ETAL 2,586,903 MECHANISM TO SEVER TAPE BETWEEN ADJACENT ENDS OF CARTONS Filed June 15. 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 26, 1952 MECHANISM TO SEVER TAPE BETWEEN ADJACENT ENDS OF CARTONS Otto A. Badenhausen,

A. Wahl, Garden Boehl, Union, & S Jersey Brookside, N. J., Eugene ity, N. N. J., assignors to ons, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Y., and Wilhehn P. Ballantine Application June 15, 1949, Serial N 0. 99,316 8 Claims. (Cl. 164-48) This invention relates to a machine for sealing cartons of the type having inwardly foldable closure flaps, by applying in overlapping relationship to the free edge portions of the inwardly folded flaps a binding strip of adhesive tape, and has for its general object to provide for this purpose a simple, practical machine which is fully automatic, rapid and reliable in its operation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, as will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in a carton sealing machine embodying the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings and as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the different views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a carton sealing machine constructed in accordance with one practical embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the machine;

Figure 3 is a vertical, longitudinal section through the machine;

Figure 4 is a cross section through the machine taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Figure 5 is a cross section through the machine taken approximately on the line 55 of Fig. 3;

Figure 6 is a detail cross section on the line 66 of Fig. 3;

Figure '7 is a cross Fig. 3; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the fluid and electrical connections between different elements of the machine; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a carton illustrating the manner in which the same is sealed by a machine constructed and operable in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings, cartons of the type which the present machine is designed to seal are designated generally as C. They are of rectangular or boxlike form and usually are formed from cardboard, being employed extensively for packaging canned goods and various other commodities. At their tops they are provided with end and side closure flaps which constitute upward extensions of their end and side walls, respectively. After the cartons are filled the end closure flaps (not shown) first are folded downwardly and inwardly and then the side closure flaps, designated as l0, l0, are folded downwardly and section on the line 1'| of tially abutting each other midway between the Following downward and inward folding of the end and side flaps of any given carton to close the top of the carton, the carton is sealed by means of a strip H of adhesive tape applied to the top faces of the meeting or free edge portions of the side flaps l0, l0.

Heretofore, it has been usual to employ semiautomatic machines, each requiring the constant presence and performance of an attendant, to apply the sealing strips H. The rate of sealing of the cartons therefore has been limited by the human factor involved and the attendants wages have represented a major part of sealing costs. Comparatively, the present machine is operable at a high rate of speed and is fully automatic. It thus increases production and, at the same time, very materially reduces production costs.

The present machine includes a frame, designated generally as A, w ch may be of any suitable form and which is illustrated in the drawings as being fabricated principally from channel-iron. It is composed, primarily, of a plurality of upright members l2 at each side thereof connected together in suitably spaced apart relationship to each other by cross memhere 13 and includes, at each side thereof, a longitudinal member I4 which is welded or other wise suitably fastened rigidly to the related set of upright members l2.

Within the frame A is mounted in any suitable manner an endless conveyor l5 of any suitable form. In the drawings, said conveyor is illustrated as being of the belt type and as extending at its ends over a pair of rollers l6, l6 suitably supported by the frame A. The rollers l6, l6 are disposed horizontally at suitable elevations adjacent to the ends of the frame A and extend transversely relative to the frame. The conveyor l5 thus extends longitudinally of the frame and includes an upper reach I5 which is disposed preferably horizontally longitudinally of the machine as well as transversely thereof and which may be supported in any suitable manner, as, for example, upon a series of transverse rollers l1 supported at their ends by the frame longitudinal members M.

The conveyor I5 constitutes what may be termed the primary conveyor of the machine. In addition, the machine includes supply and sides of the cartons.

sides thereof, as,

discharge conveyors l8 and I9, respectively, which may be of the same type and which may be mounted in the same manner as the primary conveyor l5, or which may be of any other suitable typeand which may be mounted in any other suitable manner. In any event, the discharge end of the supply conveyor i8 is disposed adjacent to the receiving end of the primary conveyor l5, and-the receiving end of the discharge conveyor I9 is disposed adjacent to the discharge end of the primary conveyor 15. The supply and discharge conveyors 18 and 19 may, if desired, be constructed as units separate from the present machine, but in any event they preferably constitute elements of the machine.

The supply conveyor 18 conveys the filled cartons C from a source of supply to the upper reach of the primary conveyor i5, and from said primary conveyor the cartons are delivered to the discharge conveyor l9 to be carried by the latter to any desired point.

Preferably the primary conveyor 15 is of a type such that is effectively resists slippage relative thereto of cartons resting thereon. The discharge conveyor i9 preferably is of the same type and preferably is driven at the same speed as said primary conveyor l5. On the other hand, the supply conveyor 18 preferably is of a type to permit slippage relative thereto of cartons resting thereon and preferably is driven at a faster speed than the primary conveyor 15 to compensate for the normal spacing of the cartons on said supply conveyor as they come from filling and flap-folding stations and to insure a substantiany constant supply of cartons to the primary conveyor IS.

A suitably mounted electric motor 20 is suitably connected as, for example, by means of a sprocket chain 2!, to one of the rollers 16 for driving the latter conveyor 15, and preferably also is employed for driving the discharge conveyor i9. On the other hand, the supply conveyor [8 preferably is separately driven by a separate motor (not shown) through a sprocket or other suitable-connection 22 with one of the supporting rollers 23 of said supply conveyor.

Suitably mounted upon the frame Aa at the for example, upon the frame longitudinal members M, are guide rails 24 which are substantially coextensive in length with the primary conveyor l and between which the cartons C enter as they move fromthe supply conveyor 18 onto said primary-conveyor (5. By means of said guide rails, which are spaced part approximately corresponding to the width of the cartons C and which are engageable with the sides of the cartons near their bottoms, the said cartons are centered relative to the primary conveyor l5 and are held in longitudinal alinement with each other as well as with said primary conveyor.

Also suitably mounted on the frame A at the sides thereof are suitable units 25 for the purpose of exerting inward pressure upon the sides of the cartons C near the tops thereof to eliminate any bulging of the carton sides and to insure abutment, or substantially abutment, of the free edges of the carton side flaps l0, H) with each other.

While the units 25 may be in the form of rails or bars for sliding or wiping contact with the sides of the cartons C, each preferably includes a series of rollers 26 for rolling contact with the related sides of the cartons. The rollers 26 are suitand thus driving the primary ably mounted on bars 21 and the latter are suitably mounted for inward and outward movement, as, for example, by means of pins 28 which extend outwardly therefrom and are slidable in suitable guides or bearings in members 29 which are suitably secured to the frame A. Suitable springs, such as helical springs 30 surrounding the pins 23, react from the members 29 to urge the bars 2'! and, hence, the rollers 26 inwardly, whereby said rollers are caused to accomplish the purpose of urging the sides of the cartons inwardly.

The members 29 may be bolted to the frame longitudinal members 14, as indicated at 31, and may be slotted, as indicated at 32, to provide for vertical adjustment of the bars 2! and the rollers 26 carried thereby to adapt said rollers to cooperate properly with cartons of different heights.

Suitably mounted at a suitable elevation above the front end portion of the primary conveyor 15, as upon an upright 33 fixed to and rising from a front cross member 43 of the frame A, is a roll as of adhesive tape II to be applied to the tops of the free or meeting edge portions of the side flaps l0, 10 of cartons C resting upon the primary conveyor 15 for the purpose of sealing said cartons.

the roll 34 is disposed in the central, vertical, longitudinal plane of the machine with its axis extending transversely of the machine, and from said roll the tape H extends first forwardly and downwardly over the front portion of a guide roller 36 carried by the upright 33-or by any other suitable support and then downwardly to and rearwardly beneath a series of horizontally disposed rollers 31 by which it is pressed downwardly upon the tops of the free or meeting edge portions of the side flaps i0, 10 of an underlying carton C resting upon the front end portion of the primary conveyor 15.

The rollers 37 extend transversely of the machine and are spring urged downwardly independently of each other whereby they insure a desired downward pressure of the tape H against the carton flaps H3, in regardless of undulations or irregularities in said flaps.

While the rollers 3'! may be mounted in any suitable manner, they are illustrated by way of example in the drawings as being mounted upon a horizontally disposed channel member 353 which extends longitudinally of the machine and is welded or otherwise suitably fastened at its front end to a front cross member iii of the frame A and at its rear end is welded or otherwise suitably fastened to the front end of a member 39 of T-shape in cross section which likewise is horizontally disposed and extends longitudinally of the machine and at its rear end is welded or otherwise suitably fastened to a rear cross member 13 of the frame A.

The channel member 38 has its flanges it disposed horizontally and each roller 3? is mounted in a yoke H from which a pin 42 extends upwardly freely through guide openings in the flanges 48. On each pin G2 is an abutment 53. Also on each pin 42, between the abutment 43 thereon and a flange of the channel member 38, .is a helical spring 44 which reacts from said flange to urge the yoke 41 and the roller 31 carried thereby downwardly. Rising from each yoke iii are fingers 45 which respectively engage opposite sides of the channel member 38 and serve to hold the yokes and, hence, the rollers 3'! against rota tion about the pins 42.

' Carried by the member 39 is a series of downwardly and rearwardly extending spring blades 46 which maintain the tape pressed downwardly upon the carton flaps I II, II) and exert an ironing effect upon said tape to flatten it against said flaps as the cartons are advanced by the primary conveyor I5. In this connection C as the latter are advanced by the primary conveyor I5. Also in this connection, suitable means preferably is provided for applying heat to the tape I and to the blades 46 to hasten firm adhesion of the tape to the carton flaps II), It, said means comprising, for example, a battery of electric lamps 41 suitably mounted to radiate heat upon said tape I and said blades.

' The tape II is, of course, laid upon the carton flaps I0, III with its adhesive side disposed downwardly but before it is laid upon said flaps its normally dry, adhesive side must, of course, be softened to render the same adhesive. In this connection, while any suitable means may be employed for softening the adhesive side of said tape after it is unwound from the roll 34 and before it is laid upon the carton flaps I0, II], one suitable means for this purpose may comprise a water spray nozzle 48 of any suitable type mounted in any suitable manner to direct a fine spray of water against the adhesive side of said tape at any point along its length between the roll 34 and the forwardmost of the series of rollers 37. In the present instance said nozzle 38 is illustrated as being mounted upon an arm 49 secured to and extending forwardly from a front cross member I3 of the frame A and as being disposed in front of that portion of the tape II which extends between the guide roller 35 and the forwardmost of the series of rollers 37 so as to direct a spray of water rearwardly against said portion of said tape. Preferably said nozzle is pivotally mounted upon said arm 49, as indicated at 55, for swinging adjustment vertically so that its water spray may be directed most advantageously against the tape I I.

The primary conveyor I may be of a length to accommodate any desired number of cartons C in end to end abutting relationship to each other, and the tape I I extends from the roll 34 continuously over the tops of all of the cartons on said primary conveyor, regardless of their number, as well as over the last carton on the discharge conveyor I9. In this connection, a knife 5| is provided to sever the tape II between adjacent ends of the cartons as the latter move off the primary conveyor I5 onto the discharge conveyor I9.

The knife 5| is disposed normally above the cartons C, substantially in vertical alinement with the center of the space between the rear end primary conveyor I5 and the front end of the discharge conveyor I9, and is vertically reciprocable, being downwardly projectable from its normal, elevated or retracted position to sever the tape I|. Said knife may be operated either electrically by means of a solenoid or the like, mechanically by means of a suitable cam or other appropriate mechanism, or by fluid pressure. In the drawings it is illustrated as being operable by fluid pressure through the instrumentality of a cylinder and piston power unit comprising a cylinder 52 and a piston 53. In any event, said knife is shiftable longitudinally of the machine whereby it'may be alined with the space between adjacent ends of the cartons even though said space may not always be located at the same point longitudinally of the machine when said knife descends, and whereby it may also be maintained in alinement with said space even though the cartons may be advancing While said knife is descending. According to the particular construction illustrated in the drawings, the cylinder 52 is pivoted, as indicated at 54, to a bracket 55 carried by the frame A of the machine for swinging movement longitudinally of the machine, whereby the knife 5| is shiftable longitudinally of the machine. Normally the cylinder 52 is held yieldably in its forwardmost position, against a suitable stop 56, by a suitable spring 51. Hence, the knife 5| normally is held yieldably in its forwardmost position.

While descent and elevation of the knife 5| may be controlled in any .desired manner, electrical means preferably is employed for this purpose. The discharge conveyor I9 is suitably inclined upwardly and rearwardly relative to the primary conveyor I5 so that as each carton moves from said primary conveyor onto said discharge conveyor its rear end assumes a downwardly and rearwardly inclined spaced relation elevation above the conveyors I5 but below the tops of the cartons C, preferably in a vertical, transverse plane including the knife 5! when the latter is in its forwardmost position, is a photoelectric switch unit designated generally as 58, while at the other side of the machine, preferably directly opposite said switch unit, is a lamp 59 by which a beam of light is directed toward said switch unit. As long as a carton C is interposed between the lamp 59 and the switch unit 58 it acts as a shield preventing light emanating from said lamp from affecting said switch unit. When, however, the space between adjacent ends of the forwardmost carton on the primary conveyor I5 and the rearmost carton on the discharge conveyor |9 becomes alined with the switch unit 58 and the lamp 59, light from said lamp is permitted to pass through said space to affect said switch unit and thereby the latter is caused to be operated.

Suitably mounted on or adjacent to the masaid ends of said cylinder for the purpose of projecting and retracting the knife 5|. The photoelectric switch 58 controls operation of said solenoid valve to admit compressed air to the top of the cylinder 52 to cause the knife 5| to be projected. On the other hand, when said photoelectric switch is deenergized, the solenoid of valve 55 likewise is deenergized and said valve assumes a normal position admitting compressed air to the bottom of the cylinder 52 whereby the knife 5| is retracted. It will thus be apparent that as the cartons C are advanced the knife 5| will be projected to sever the tape II each time the space between adjacent ends of adjacent cartons becomes alined transversely of the machine with the photo-electric switch 58 and the lamp 59, and that as each carton moves between said photo-electric switch and said lamp said knife will be retracted.

To insure that the knife 5|, when projected, will aline with the space between adjacent ends of "adjacent cartons; a yoke 63'isfixed with respect to th cylinder 52 arms 64, 64 between which the cartons C pass as they are advanced. To each armtfi is pivotedv at one end,,as indicated at 65, a finger 58 which is swingable downwardly and outwardly to a substantially vertically disposed position, as illustrated by full lines in Fig. 5, and upwardly and inwardly to a substantially horizontally dis,- posed position, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5. When said fingers 86 are disposed substantially vertically they also are disposed beyond the sides of the cartons C so that they do not interfere with advance of said cartons. When, however, said fingers are disposed substantially horizontally they extend inwardlyinto th path of advance of the cartons.

Each finger 65 includes a pinion portion 61 which is engaged by a related, vertically disposed rack bar 68 which is slidably mounted in the related yoke arm 64. Moreover, said rack bars are carried by arms fifl'vvhich are fixed with respect to the knife Furthermore, said fingers are disposed substantially vertically'when the knife 5! is raised and are swingable to their substantially horizontal positions as said knife descends. Consequently, each time the knife 5! descends, the rack bars 58 descend therewith and act to swing the fingers ts from their substantially vertically disposed positions to their substantially horizontally disposed positions. Conversely, each time the knife 51 ascends, the rack bars 68 ascend therewith and act to swing the blades 66 from their substantially horizontally disposed positions to their substantially vertically disposed positions.

When the knife 5| is in its forwardmost position it is as aforesaid, disposed substantially in the same vertical plane transversely of the machine as the photo-electric switch 58 and the lamp 59. The fingers 66 are disposed in, or substantially in, this same plane. Therefore, said fingers substantially aline with the space between adjacent ends of adjacent cartons when said space alines with the photo-electric switch 58 and the lamp 59. As a result, when the knife 5| descends due to alinement of said space with the photo-electric switch 58 and the lamp 59, the fingers 86 are swung upwardly and inwardly into said space and by cooperation with the ends of the cartons insure alinement of the knife 5i with the space between the ends of the cartons as the knife 5! completes its descent. This; of course, in turn insures severing of the tape II at the meeting ends of the cartons and thereby avoids any possibility of the knife 5| being projected into a carton. Obviously, any advance of the cartons during projection of the knife 5! will result in advance of the knife with the cartons due to the blades 66 being interposed between the cartons and being advanced therewith, thereby causing the cylinder and piston power unit as well as the knife 5| to be swung forwardly in harmony with advance of the cartons. This further insures severing of the tape H at the meeting ends of the cartons. When raised, the knife 54 is, of course, disposed sufficiently above the cartons so that before it engages and severs the tape ll during its descent, the fingers 66 will have been moved between the cartons to accomplish their purpose.

Obviously, the machine will operate continuously as long as cartons are delivered sufiiciently rapidly by the supply conveyor, 18 to the primary conveyor to maintain the latter conand includes a pairof veyor filled with. cartons in 7 end to end; relationship to each other. However, times when cartons are not delivered tothe primary conveyor 15 at the rate that they are ad I The machine 1 vanced by said primary conveyor. accordingly includes means whereby it is stopped automatically whenever on the receiving end of the'primaryconveyor 15. This means includes a shoe '18 which over-- lies the rear end of the supply conveyor 18 and.

which is carried by a pair of arms H which extend rearwardly at suitable points 10 is vertically movable.

As long as cartons C are delivered by the supply conveyor 18 at a rate to maintain a carton on the delivery end of said supply conveyor with its front end abutting, or substantially abutting, the rear end of a end of the primary conveyor 15, the shoe it rests upon the top of the carton on the delivery end of said supply conveyor and thereby is maintained elevated. However, in the absence of a carton from the delivery end of the supply con-- veyor 18, or in the event of any material spacing of the front of a carton on the discharge end of said supply conveyor from the rear end of a carton on the front veyor it, the shoe I0 is free to drop and does so either under the infiuence of gravity alone or under influence of gravity assisted by any suitable spring means.

Mounted upon a suitable portion of the frame A is an electric switch 13 which includes a pivoted actuating arm M, while extending either from one of the shoe arms 1! or from a cross member 15 which connects them, is an arm 16 the free end portion of which is disposed for cooperation with said switch arm M. The arm it is, of course, swingable responsive to upward and downward movements of the shoe it, and the arrangement in this connection is such that said arm it acts through the switch arm 14 to hold the switch i3 i9 is held elevated by a carton C on the delivery end portion of the supply conveyor 18, and acts either to open said switch or to permit said switch to assume an open position under the influence of suitable spring means whenever said shoe is permitted to drop due to the absence of a carton from the delivery end portionof the supply conveyor 18.

The switch 13, controls the motor 20 which drives the primary conveyor 15. Manifestly, therefore, as long as cartons are being delivered by the supply conveyor l8 as fast as they are being advanced by the primary conveyor 15, the shoe 10 will be held elevated and will hold the switch 13 closed, thus maintaining the motor 20 and the primary conveyor 15 in continuous op-, eration. If, for any reason, however, there should occur an absence ofa carton from the delivery end of the supply conveyor t8, the shoe is will drop and the switch 13 will be opened with consequent stopping of the motor 20 and the primary conveyor l5.

The bottom of the shoe '10 is inclined upwardly and forwardly and any suitable stop means is provided to limit downward movement of said shoe so that when it is in its lowermost position, its inclined bottom is engageable by the upper, front corner there may be there is absent from thedelivery end of the supply conveyor 18 a carton C in, or substantially in, abutment with a carton therefrom and are pivoted, to suitable portions of the frame A, as indicated at 12, whereby said shoe carton on the rear end of the primary conclosed as long as the shoe of a carton being advanced that its advantages by the supply conveyor l8. The supply conveyor operates continuously and, hence, as soon as a carton thereon approaches the rear end thereof it moves beneath and elevates the shoe 70, thus automatically starting the motor 20 and the primary conveyor l5. It will thus be apparent ously or intermittently, depending upon the rate of supply of cartons by the supply conveyor Hi to the primary conveyor [5.

The nozzle 48 is supplied with water through a hose or pipe 1! and with compressed air through a hose or pipe 18, and is of a type such that it operates to deliver a spray of water therefrom only when it is supplied with compressed air. In the compressed air supply pipe 18 is interposed a solenoid valve 19 which controls delivery of compressed air to said nozzle 48 and which is electrically connected in series with the motor 20 and the switch 13, whereby it is operable to permit flow of compressed air to said nozzle when said motor is operating and to deny flow of compressed air to said nozzle when said motor is not operating. Thus, the tape H is sprayed and wetted only when the primary conveyor I is in operation and the tape II is being advanced with the cartons on said conveyor.

Compressed air for operation of the nozzle 48 and the knife 5| may be derived from a common source of supply and preferably passes through a suitable filtering and pressure regulating device 80 interposed at a suitable point between the source of supply and the solenoid valves 60 and 19.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, the present machine is of a simple, practical construction, operates either continuously or intermittently depending upon the rate of supply of the cartons to be sealed, is fully automatic in operation, and It is, moreover, eifective to apply and sever the tape H in a highly satisftactory manner and is thoroughly reliable in operation. It thus is effective to increase production and to materially reduce reduction costs.

From the foregoing description considered in accompanying drawings, it construction. on operation be clearly understood and will be appreciated. desired to point out, however, that while only a single, specific structural embodiment of the machine has been illustrated and described, the same is readily capable of various other specifically different structural embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, a primary conveyor for advancing in end to end abutting relationship to each other a series of cartons having a continuous strip of adhesive tape applied to their tops, a discharge conveyor onto which cartons are delivered by said primary conveyor, said discharge conveyor being inclined upwardly relative to said primary conveyor to cause adjacent ends of the cartons to become spaced apart in downwardly divergent relationship to each other as the cartons move from said primary conveyor onto said discharge conveyor, a knife for severing the applied tape between adjacent ends of adjacent cartons, and means controlled by the said spacing of the cartons for controlling operation of said knife.

2. In a machine of the character described, a

machine will maybe operated at high speed relationship to each other as the cartons move from said primary conveyor onto said discharge conveyor, a knife for severing the applied tape between adjacent ends of adjacent cartons, and photo-electric switch means controlled by the said spacing of the cartons for controlling operation of said knife.

3. In a machine of the character described, a primary conveyor for advancing in end to end abutting relationship to each other a series of cartons having a continuous strip of adhesive tape applied to their tops, a discharge conveyor onto which cartons are delivered by said primary conveyor, said discharge conveyor being inclined upwardly relative to said primary, conveyor to cause adjacent ends of the cartons to become spaced apart in downwardly divergent relationship to each other as the cartons move from said primary conveyor onto said discharge conveyor, a knife for severing the applied tape between adjacent ends of adjacent cartons, means controlled by the said spacing of the cartons for control ing operation of said knife, and means enterable into the space between the carton ends for cooperation with the cartonends to insure alinement of the knife with the space between adjacent ends of the cartons.

4. In a machine of the character described, a primary conveyor for advancing in end to end abutting relationship to each other a series of cartons having a continuous strip of adhesive tape applied to their tops, a discharge conveyor onto which cartons are delivered by said primary conveyor, said discharge conveyor being inclined upwardly relative to said primary conveyor to cause adjacent ends of the cartons to become spaced apart in downwardly divergent relationship to each other as the cartons move from said primary conveyor onto said discharge conveyor, a knife for severing the applied tape between adjacent ends of adjacent cartons, photo-electric switch means controlled by the said spacing of the cartons for controlling operation of said knife, and. means enterab e into the space between the carton ends for cooperation with the carton ends to insure alinement of the knife with the space between the carton ends during the severing of the tape by said kni e.

5. In a machine of the character described, a primary conveyor for advancing in end to end abutting relationship to each other a series of cartons having a continuous strip of adhesive tape applied to their tops, a discharge conveyor onto which cartons are delivered by said primary conveyor, said discharge conveyor being inclined upwardly relative to said primary conveyor to cause adjacent ends of the cartons to become spaced apart in downwardly divergent relationship to each other as the cartons move from said primary conveyor onto said discharge conveyor, a projectable and retractable knife for severing the applied tape between adjacent ends of said cartons, said knife being mounted for movement with the cartons as the latter are advanced, photo-electric switch means controlled by the said spacing of the cartons for controlling operation of said primary conveyor for .spectively,

knife, and means enterable into the spacesbetween the carton ends for cooperation with the carton ends to move the knife with the cartons as the latter are advanced to insure alinement of theknife with the space between adjacent ends of the cartons when the knife is projected to sever the tape.

6. Ina machine of the character described, a advancing in end to end abutting relationship to each other a series of cartons having a continuous strip of adhesive tape applied to their tops, a discharge conveyor onto which. the cartons are delivered by said primary conveyor, said discharge conveyor being inclined'upwardly relative to said primary conveyor to cause adjacent ends of. adjacent cartons on said; primary and, said discharge conveyors, reto become spaced apart in downwardly. divergent relationship to each other, a verticaliy reciprocable tape severing knife mounted above the space between the adjacent ends of the primary and the discharge conveyors for downward projection to sever the tape andsfor movement longitudinally of the machine with the cartons as the latter are advanced, means opera,- ble by projection. of'said knife to enter the space between. the carton ends and to cooperate with the, carton ends to aline the knife with the space between the carton ends and to maintain such alinement during projection of, the knife while the cartons are advancing, a photo-electric switchat one side of the machine controlling projection and retraction of said knife, and a light source at the other side of the machine for directing a beam of light upon said switch, said switch and said light source being disposed at elevations such that light from said source is preyentedfrom. affecting said. switch by cartons passingbetweensaid switch and said light source and is permitted, to affect said switch only when the aforesaid space between adjacent ends of the, cartons alines transversely of the machine with said switch and. said light source.

divergent relationship "I. In a machine of the character described, a conveyor for advancing in end to end abutting relationship to each other a series of cartons having a continuous strip of adhesive tape applied to the same, means to cause adjacent ends of the cartons to become spaced apart in divergent relationship to each other at a predetermined point during their advance, a knife for severing the tape between adjacent ends of the cartons, and means controlled by the said spacing of the cartons for controlling operation of said knife.

8; In a machine of the character described, a conveyor for advancing in end to end abutting relationship to each other a series of cartons having a continuous strip of adhesive tape applied to the same, means to cause adjacent ends of the cartons to become spaced apart in to each other at a predetermined point during their advance, a knife for severing the tape between adjacent ends of the cartons, and photo-electric switch means controlled by the said spacing of the cartons for controlling operation of'said knife.

OTTO A, BADENHAUSEN. EUGENE A. WAHL. WILHELM BOEHL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references 'are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,318,329 Frohn Oct. 7, 19 9 1,710,395 Williams Apr. 23, 1929 2,096,772 Webster Oct. 26, 1937 2,113,549 Neher Apr. 5, 1938 2,246,906 Viebahn et a1 June 24, 1941 2,456,059 Grupe Dec. 14, 1948 

